Community Chat

[skuggles]

Thanks Tansy. I know a doc can't change another doc's notes, I was referring to the doc who originally wrote it. I guess I'm saying that they should be held to an honesty standard on a legal record, like everyone else. If they let the small stuff ride, what about the big stuff? I have known more than a few people who found incorrect comments on their medical records. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't a miracle that more major medical errors aren't made based on these errors. However, I know many in the medical profession who wouldn't dream of including by mistake or intentionally, any erroneous comments however small, on a patient's record. Most are sophisticated enough to know what prejudicial comments are, and to keep them out of a medical record.

Many of those I know who reviewed their records when they collected them for transfer, were surprised and hurt by some of the subjective comments contained in them. They were hurt to find out that a doc saw them in a less than flattering light. They were embarrassed to give this document to anyone else because the statements made them look bad. Patients are at the mercy, so to speak of their caregivers, and they struggle to maintain their own dignity and independence, in a situation where what is normally very personal is laid bare and you must surrender to an extent, some of your ideas about personal boundaries. This doesn't do anything to help. It should be guarded against. One way would be direct confrontation. I guess each person has to decide how much it means to them, and pick their battles. However, reassurance that it is nothing, fails to recognize and validate their feelings. It is something.

[mewsmomtoo]

Seems like a CYA kind of remark to me and I would be mad. I would insist on a correction so they know they can't always get away with that kind of stuff.

By the way, I had a similar thing happen at a vet's office so beware. I was adopting out a cat I'd had for over a year so I went to get his records to give to the new owner and there was this whole conversation noted that had never taken place. I was shocked. The cat was overweight and he put in the records that he had discussed this with me i.e. consequences and possible diet. I think it was a CYA remark in case anything happened to the cat that was weight-related.

I complained to the office manager and never went back. They had changed from a privately-owned practice to a VCA-owned practice (a corporation that has bought and opened many practices across the US now). My only two visits to them after that change were with just out of school vets and I was not impressed. After that little shenanigan, I've never gone to a VCA-owned practice.

[stilltamn8r]

please don't worry about this-

[minkbunny]

We often get printouts after a doctor's visit that include comments such as this - generic advice. Had the doctor said, This patient is suffering from hypertension due to eating at fast food places that would be different than general advice to avoid such food choices.

Although I can see how it would bother you being you do NOT eat this type of food.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Are you overweight? Doctors even those that are overweight judge their patients.

[esmerelda]

Scary how we have to watch the people who (help us) watch our health.

Getting notes after each visit is a good idea.

[JuJu Squeezie]

Please ask why that erroneous information was written in your report. I'd love to be there and hear the blah blah blah you get.

[goodstuff]

Advising you not to eat at fast food restaurants isn't the same as "judging" you for doing so! Your doctor is just giving good medical guidance. I take medication for blood pressure also, and my doctor routinely advises me to avoid salty foods, cured meats, pickled foods, etc. -- in fact, she has given me a printed handout about foods I should try to avoid. Good info to keep in mind, whether I'm in the habit of eating such foods or not.

I think you're being way overly defensive.

[esmerelda]

On 6/14/2014 GoodStuff said:

Advising you not to eat at fast food restaurants isn't the same as "judging" you for doing so! Your doctor is just giving good medical guidance. I take medication for blood pressure also, and my doctor routinely advises me to avoid salty foods, cured meats, pickled foods, etc. -- in fact, she has given me a printed handout about foods I should try to avoid. Good info to keep in mind, whether I'm in the habit of eating such foods or not.

I think you're being way overly defensive.

The judgment is that he didn't ask if she ate there, he assumed she did. He didn't even tell her not to, he wrote it down. Why not just say it?

[QueenDanceALot]

I think if we knew all the errors committed in medical practice that we'd never go to doctors.

The older I get the less I trust any of them. (Of course there ARE exceptions, so you don't have to defend them to me).

I do think that there are minor errors and egregious ones and that this one falls under the minor kind. Feeling "judged" by your doctor can't be good for your bp. Maybe you should mention it on your next visit, but try not to fret and stew about it now.